Archives for August 2016

The sparkling lightness of being that is the Dior J’adore Eau Lumiere perfume

August 31, 2016 Paris B 4 Comments

I’m a contradiction in terms. I don’t mind saying so, because it’s true.

For the most part, when it comes to perfumes, my tastes gravitate towards the clear and clean and spice. But if there’s one perfume I’d pick out of my perfume line up, without hesitating and without even thinking, it would be this floral, feminine scent of Dior J’adore.

It confuses me, because J’adore is everything I DO NOT look for in a perfume. It is floral (indisputably so!), it contains jasmine notes (I detest jasmine) and it comes from a mainstream beauty brand (while I try to go niche). Everything runs contrary to what my head tells me I like, but you know, the heart (and nose) doesn’t lie.

But my love for J’adore isn’t a recent thing. It began in 2011, with the introduction of the J’adore Eau de Toilette. I was much younger, life was more carefree, and it came at a time when I felt ready to take on the challenges ahead, without sacrificing my feminity. I work in a male-dominated environment, and while I know I’m as good as the next man, I had one thing better – I had a nicer perfume (and a prettier bag on my arm)! So there! LOL! 😀

Prior to that, J’adore was primarily sold as an EdP, which had a much stronger, more floral note, and smelled more mature to me. It is a Dior parfum classic, and I’d grown up with images of Charlize Theron in her golden dress, reflecting that iconic golden, long-necked bottle of J’adore filled with the golden liquid perfume within. J’adore was a scent I thought older women would wear.

I was kind of right, because I eventually grew up, and slid comfortably into the target demographic. I’m happy now to wear the J’adore EdP which I carry around in my purse spray, and in the EdT. And then, they just had to go and remake this iconic scent! Cue gasps of horror and pulling of hair 😛

Longing for a high coverage foundation on a budget? Try the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation!

August 29, 2016 Paris B 6 Comments

If there’s one pharmacy or drugstore brand I’d always turn to for foundation that I know will work for me, it is Bourjois. Ever since I came across their Healthy Mix foundation (reformulated into something that no longer suits my skintone), I’d been smitten with the brand. Every base I try from there seems to work like magic on me!

Recently, the new Bourjois City Radiance foundation was released, and it’s been a while since I received it.

Unlike the Healthy Mix and Healthy Mix Serum foundations that come in slim glass bottles, the City Radiance foundation comes in a tube. It is very portable and not bulky or heavy at all. I can see that this one will be a popular one for those who travel a lot, because it’s the perfect travel companion, in terms of packaging and product performance.

The question of course, is whether this lives up to my high expectations for Bourjois bases!

Because we are all unique, there are 3 versions of the new Clarins Treatment Essence for different skin concerns

August 26, 2016 Paris B 10 Comments

Alrighty then, I think a bunch of you have been waiting for this post to go up – I sure have gotten a lot of inquiries after I gave you the overview of the new Clarins Treatment Essences about 2 weeks back! If you’d like to know a little more about the Treatment Essence, I’d suggest reading the previous post – it’s very comprehensive.

In this one, I’m focusing on what I think of them, having had them in my skincare rotation for almost 2 months (I had a jumpstart on them cos the media launch in Malaysia was way before I went to Paris! LOL!).

Because many of you lovely international beauties asked if you can get this in Europe or North America soon, I checked and the answer I received from Clarins Paris is an unfortunate, not now. These Clarins Treatment Essences will be Asia-exclusive for a while, until they figure out how well it’s doing. So, if you’re travelling through Asia or have friends or family in Asia, now’s the time to ask for a favour! 😀

Being a Treatment Essence that is supposed to “unlock” the skin barrier to allow your skincare to penetrate better into your skin, Clarins has positioned this product as a pre-skincare product.

Cleansing -> Acid toner (if using) -> Clarins Treatment Essence -> rest of skincare

There are 3 different essences formulated for 3 different skincare concerns. While Clarins uses age as a gauge (Multi-Active for those in their 20’s, Extra-Firming for those in their 30’s and Super Restorative for those in their 40’s – more detail on which to choose in my previous introductory post) I prefer to classify them according to your skin concerns.

Because I had the opportunity to try all 3 (no, you do not need all 3 – perish the thought and protect your wallet!) I’ll tell you what I think of each, and how I feel they fit for different skins 🙂 I know many of you had gone out to get samples so now’s your time to share YOUR review below! 😀

Your say : What beauty products have you rediscovered recently?

August 24, 2016 Paris B 26 Comments

You know, being immersed in this world of beauty has its drawbacks. Stop snickering back there, because you know it’s true! If you blog, or if you read enough blogs or follow social media, often you find yourself being updated on what’s new.

Everything published is new or forthcoming. We buy them, and we enjoy them and then… “Ooh look! New shiny makeup!” and what we enjoyed before is stuck at the back of the drawer. I’m, hands up, as guilty as they come. People are already releasing images for Christmas collections, and it’s only August! Slow down, slow down!

Recently however, I decided to take a look at some of the items I own that I’d forgotten about, or just stopped using, for various unknown reasons. I was curious to see if they might strike the same chord in me now, as they did back when I first got them.

Let me spare the suspense – they did! So here are a few beauty products I rediscovered recently. What are yours? 😀

Archives for August 2016

The fun and previews happen on Instagram @parisbmws